About Forensic Neuropsychology

Forensic Neuropsychology involves the cognitive assessment and the determination of the presence or absence of brain damage from individuals involved in litigation.

Forensic neuropsychological evaluations reflect any functional deficits or brain injury. It graduates cognitive injuries, daily functioning and disability status. The neuropsychological examination may be used to evaluate behavior, emotional affection, personality or prior functional status. Also it is needed when a suboptimal functioning is suspected. It determines with a high degree of certainty the nature and severity of cognitive deficits and current level of functioning. Neuropsychological assessment is indispensable in differential diagnoses studies as it can distinguish various brain conditions from each other as well as from normal variation. Nowadays cognitive assessments are more essential in clinical settings and also increasing in forensic psychology.

Forensic neuropsychologist’s methodology is similar to clinical neuropsychologists; it is based on scientifically validated test that can determine any cognitive dysfunction or even factitious disorders. Neuropsychological assessment could be needed in any civil or criminal litigation, as offers specialized information regarding brain-behavior relationships.